Alan Grayson Calls Fast-Track Unconstitutional

Rep. Alan Grayson, the outspoken and often controversial congressman from Florida, recently penned an opinion editorial in the Huffington Post, where he pointed out that the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA)—or “Fast-Track”—is unconstitutional.

Here is an excerpt of what Grayson wrote:

At the start of every Congress, each House Member raises his or her hand, and swears an oath to uphold the Constitution. It is the most basic, and most important, responsibility that The People’s representatives have.

To honor that oath truly, every Member of the House must vote “NO” on the so-called Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2015, better known as Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) or “Fast Track.” Not only is this authority bad for American workers and our economy, but it also violates the separation of powers guaranteed in the Constitution.

He added:

TPA’s goal is constitutionally illicit: to handcuff the ability of the House, Senate, and the electorate to become fully informed about the President’s proposed trade legislation, and to oppose or amend it accordingly. TPA is based on the erroneous notions that the president is superior to Congress in discerning what is best for the nation in international trade agreements; and that the Constitution’s procedural safeguards against executive tyranny or overreaching should be abandoned to reduce barriers to international trade or investment.

While the case can be made that TPA is not all that constitutional, a similar case can be made that the Affordable Care Act, aka Obamacare, is also unconstitutional.